As this “drama” we call the Trump administration moves forward I continue to write about what I call the “damage” being done before “we the people” will manage to end this nightmare. It’s mounting fast and it’s becoming hard to decide what is the most egregious of what Trump is doing to our republic. As I force myself to watch as much Fox “news” as my stomach can tolerate it’s becoming clear that republicans have chosen to put power ahead of country. Surprise surprise! (I’ve been pointing this out for years) They have chosen to ratchet up the attacks on Robert Mueller, the FBI, and presumably the intelligence community as they anticipate Trump will eventually face charges which could potentially be the most egregious against anyone who’s ever inhabited the “White House.”
I’ve predicted on several occasions that Donald Trump will find himself along side Benedict Arnold when His place in American history is finally written. Right next to Trump will be Fox “news” which is an entity that has chosen to use it’s position of having a place on the public media spectrum to BRAINWASH unsuspecting Americans who actually believe they are receiving true information and, when they turn off the TV, they believe they’ve been informed. The BRAINWASHING goes so deep that if you’re a “progressive” (liberal) you can’t even talk to them. Today, I talked to a lady who actually said she can’t talk politics with anyone who disagrees with her. She claimed she was “informed” and said she watches “Fox news all the way.” I’ve seen this over and over – these people get red in the face when their beliefs are questioned. This particular lady said, “I’m a conservative” as if that was a measure of pride. (And, as if she could actually define what is a “conservative.”)
I didn’t engage in any discussion with this woman but I guessed she was a supporter of Trump and, had there been a discussion I inferred that she would be claiming Robert Mueller is a biased political hack that should be fired – along with his entire staff. Keep in mind, his staff is considered the “Cadillac” of investigation staffs. His investigators are considered the best of the best, they’re considered “a political,” they’re committed public servants who’ve taken an oath to the constitution, and – if you’ve committed a crime and they are investigating, you’re likely “up a creek without a paddle.” Well, it’s not only obvious to people like me that Trump is in trouble, but also Fox “news” and Trump surrogates in the republican party. The republican solution to this problem is to attack the investigators prior to the investigation’s findings – evidently to justify what they will do at that time.
What this implies is that republicans in Congress are laying the ground for their justification in refusing to IMPEACH Trump when the Mueller probe is finally published. This would suggest republicans will support Trump’s plan to pardon those who get caught up in Mueller’s probe – which likely would include Jared Kushner, Trump Jr., Hope Hicks, Mike Pense, and many others. I’ve watched these republicans giving cover to Trump all year as they’re supposed to be investigating the Russian ATTACK on our nation. Each time Trump pushes the “bar” well beyond anything MOST Americans consider acceptable, continuing to do the work of the Russians by undermining our “democracy” and further pitting American against American – doing the work the Russians would be unable to do without Trump’s (and the republicans’) help – I can only imagine the smile on Vladimir Putin’s face. I believe republicans are willing to accept this in exchange for Trump’s signature on a Tax bill which has the republican donors slobbering all over themselves. And, whatever else they can manage to get through Congress prior to 2018. This is shameful!
Can anyone out there imagine what republicans would have done had Barack Obama used Russian intelligence to win either of his elections to the White House. I’ve been thinking Donald Trump’s election saved us all from a plethora of investigations into Hillary Clinton and I’m pretty sure she would already have faced impeachment had she won the last election. (Well, actually, she DID win the election – she was defeated by the electoral college) That last thought brought another to mind – just think what republicans would have done had Obama lost to McCain or Romney by 3 MILLION votes, but carried the Electoral College. My thought is that would have been the end of the “college.” (Is it a “college?”)
Here’s how I see this present situation playing out – Trump will be facing numerous charges due to the reality that investigators like Mueller “follow the facts” wherever they lead. I believe Trump is vulnerable in several areas that likely have nothing to do with politics – other than to explain Trump’s “curious” bromance with Vladimir Putin and Russia. Trump very possibly has money laundering liability from what I can tell by watching varying reports regarding his real estate “empire,” and his issues with “stiffing” banks over the years – to where Trump had to rely on Deutche Bank for money – a lender with HUGE issues regarding “laundering” Russian money over the years. Both Trump and his son in law have significant exposure via loans totaling hundreds of MILLIONS with Deutche Bank. As Mueller peruses Trump’s tax returns he’s likely to find many connections to Russia which may answer many of the questions “we the people” have been asking since we learned Russia ATTACKED America on Trump’s behalf in 2016. Of course, as stated above, republicans appear to be setting the stage to disregard the findings of the Mueller investigation.
Which brings me back to the “damage” Trump is doing to this nation. (I wish I could think of a more sophisticated term) I believe “we the people” are facing the possibility of the absolute MOST “damage” possible coming from this DEPLORABLE person and his impending disregard of Mueller’s findings. It’s been documented that he’s LIED over 1600 times since taking office, but the Most disingenuous LIES are being perpetrated RIGHT NOW as I’m writing this as Trump is gearing up his counterattack to Mueller. Obviously, Trump KNOWS that Mueller is “right around the corner” because, despite the observable FACT that Trump is delusional, he KNOWS what he did and he KNOWS Mueller probably KNOWS as well – if by no other way, through Michael Flynn – who’s obligated to tell it all to save his own “skin” and that of his son’s.
For starters, to suggest Flynn “lied to the Vice President” was preposterous on its face when they used that as the excuse for firing him AND anyone paying close attention would KNOW Flynn does “have a story to tell” as was suggested when he originally sought “immunity” to “spill his guts.” I believe the LIES coming from the “White House” suggesting Flynn “lied to the Vice President” has put many “White House” employees from that time period, including – of course – Trump, but also Pense and others in jeopardy. Anyone “in on that LIE” would be potentially part of a conspiracy to “OBSTRUCT JUSTICE.” Trump’s lawyers and Fox “news” are now pushing the RIDICULOUS theory that the “president can’t obstruct justice.” That theory is, of course, PREPOSTEROUS!
Trump and the right wing message centers along with all the programmable “water carriers” are going after Mueller and the FBI in real time (Yes, these are the very people who claim to support “law and order” while they prepare us for disorder). They’re trying to lay the groundwork for being able to justify not IMPEACHING Trump when Mueller is done – and, instead starting an investigation into Mueller, himself, and the FBI! I’m NOT making this up! If Trump and Fox “news” succeed, this will lead to the very instability Putin was attempting to cause – only, he thought Hillary Clinton would be the president. This would be a “very fine” bonus for Putin – well beyond his “wildest dreams.” It would also threaten the very existence of our republic. I’m guessing, because of Trump’s ginning up his “base,” and the existence of damning evidence Trump cannot hide – one way or the other – there’s going to be people in the streets after the “smoke clears.”
If Trump is allowed to get away with this, America stands to become what I heard a republican in Congress today refer to what we’d resemble if we “allow Hillary Clinton to get away with all of her crimes” and that’s a “banana republic.” I don’t know who the Congress person was speaking, but that was a classic case of “political projection.” Accuse your opponent of your own intentions. If we become a nation allowing leaders to disregard the laws, one allowing our presidents to tell the justice department who to investigate, if we accept that our leaders are “above the law,” and if political aspirants have to live in fear that they will be prosecuted should they lose an election – then we will have allowed ourselves to slip into “third world” status. You’re correct – that would be a “banana republic.”
Trump is pushing an extremely dangerous narrative and “we the people” MUST resist! If he goes after Mueller upon the conclusion of this investigation, then “when the smoke clears” Trump needs to be held accountable for ALL his actions in a court of law. It’s time to make it clear our leaders are not above the law. The biggest mistake of Barack Obama, in my view, was when he chose to “look forward instead of back.” The Bush/Cheney regime violated NUMEROUS laws and Obama chose to allow them to “go to pasture” peacefully. This cannot happen with Trump. He’s pushing this nation to the brink of a constitutional disaster that could change America forever. He’s aligned himself with people who wear NAZI armbands and shout NAZI slogans – we CAN’T allow him to succeed. His authoritarian personality has been obvious from the start – what wasn’t as obvious to me was the number of republicans who would jump on his “bandwagon.” I’m not sure what they fear, but they’ve “got to go” as well.
Final thought: The next couple of months are the MOST critical and dangerous to our republic in my lifetime (I’m 70). I hope and pray that “we the people” are paying attention and that we won’t allow Trump to succeed in the MOST brazen OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE in American history.